News.Bytes A publication of Bureau of Land Management in California Issue 629-06/19/14- Visit us on Facebook -- Follow us on Twitter -- Share us with friends and colleagues! THIS WEEK IN NEWS.BYTES: - Archaeology - Discover the Coast - Wilderness and Wild Areas - Wild Horse and Burro - Fire Management - Headlines and Highlights - Wildlife Trivia Question of the Week - BLM and Department of Interior Highlights - Upcoming BLM California Events If this message does not show up properly in your email, you can see it online at: www.blm.gov/ca/news/newsbytes/2014/629.html ARCHAEOLOGY Local Partnership Connects Kids to the Science of Archaeology (BLM Facebook) Archaeologists from the BLM Bishop Field Office teamed with the Student Conservation Association and the Bishop Paiute Tribe to introduce elementary school students to the amazing science of archaeology. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,m3zp,2mqa,1bct,ijo3 Eagle Lake Field Office Volunteer Week a Rousing Success (News.Bytes Extra) The BLM Eagle Lake Field Office's inaugural Archaeology Volunteer Week was a rousing success, with all available volunteer slots filled and important archaeology discoveries made. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,8dhf,7d6f,1bct,ijo3 DISCOVER THE COAST Simpson University Outdoor Leadership Students Clean Up Marine Debris (Record Searchlight, 06/17/14) Simpson University outdoor leadership students dedicated a day to cleaning state park trails and campsites on the Lost Coast. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,1u9x,g4c9,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: World Oceans Day -- Simpson University Style (BLM Tumblr) Students from Simpson University's Outdoor Leadership Program recently spent one day from their week long "Lost Coast" hike removing marine debris from the rocky and sandy shores of California's King Range. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,1vud,3l07,1bct,ijo3 Low Tide Walk at Baker Beach (BLM Facebook) Thank you for the amazing partnership at the California Coastal National Monument. The magic is made through the gateway community partnerships. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,kzeo,6i79,1bct,ijo3 Visit Our Discover The Coast Website (BLM website) Learn more about our Discover the Coast campaign, partnerships, and events. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,1cr0,11yu,1bct,ijo3 WILDERNESS and WILD AREAS Cave Rescue Training Becomes Real Life Flash Flood Evacuation (BLM Facebook) Cave passageways and formations offer exquisite scenery and fascinating opportunities for research and recreation. Yet, the characteristics that make them beautiful have inherent risk. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,61lq,m57d,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: California Leaf-Nosed Bat Monitoring Video (BLM YouTube) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,gxt8,8wid,1bct,ijo3 50 Years After Wilderness Act: Still Much to Discover (The Spokesman-Review, 06/18/14) Most people associate wilderness areas with national forests. But the Forest Service isn't the only federal agency that manages officials wilderness... http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,41qf,3qso,1bct,ijo3 WILD HORSE AND BURRO BLM Holds First Online Burro and Horse Adoption (Redwood Times, 06/15/14) The BLM is offering 45 wild horses and 6 wild burros through its first online adoption in California. Profiles of adoptable animals will be available on the BLM California website on a first come, first served basis. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,5gyh,35qw,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: BLM-California Wild Horse and Burro Internet Adoption (BLM Website) Complete an adoption application; Preview the animal profiles online and select which you would like; Call the BLM at 530-310-3674 to adopt your animal from June 16 to 27; Arrange to pick up your animal at one of the locations mentioned above. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,dd74,gs0d,1bct,ijo3 BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program at the Western States Horse Expo (BLM Facebook) The BLM California Wild Horse and Burro Program had a busy information booth with two stalls of wild horses at the Western States Horse Expo last weekend at Cal Expo. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,6cos,s4v,1bct,ijo3 FIRE MANAGEMENT NorCal Fire Crews Participate in Readiness Drill (News.Bytes Extra) BLM fire crews from across northern California converged in the high desert near the community of Madeline in Lassen County on Thursday, June 12, for exercises designed to test their readiness for the upcoming wildfire season. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,ai3p,95tr,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: BLM NorCal Fire Readiness Drill 2014 Video (BLM Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,8pje,3e7i,1bct,ijo3 California Wildfire Threatens Hundreds of Homes (USA Today, 06/14/14) Firefighters raced to control a wildfire that threatened more than 500 homes in central California before hotter, drier weather sets in later in the week. The fire had burned through 3.1 square miles of trees and brush near Bakersfield. - BLM has property involved and a number of firefighting resources on assignment. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,1unb,b9lq,1bct,ijo3 Shriners Sue BLM over Chariot Fire Damage (San Diego Union-Tribune, 06/13/14) A federal lawsuit filed Friday accuses a BLM field officer of causing last summer's Chariot fire, which destroyed the nearly-century old Al Bahr Shriners Camp in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area of the Cleveland National Forest. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,8mlj,ipgd,1bct,ijo3 OTHER CALIFORNIA HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS Learning about Nature Lasts a Lifetime (News.Bytes Extra) Staff and volunteers of the California Desert District Office (CDDO) head to the Otay Valley Regional Park Open House in San Diego County to help the community of Chula Vista celebrate the wonders of open spaces and public lands. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,1to9,hgc0,1bct,ijo3 Imperial Sand Dunes and American Sand Association's 2nd Stake Removal Event (BLM Facebook). Voluneers helped remove old boundary stakes from the northwest corner of the central closure south of Roadrunner to about 1/2 mile past China Wall at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,hqgv,dwfp,1bct,ijo3 BLM Schedules Public Meeting on Renewables (Daily Press, 06/17/14) A public meeting of a government subcommittee is scheduled to discuss renewable energy developments in the desert areas of Southern California. The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan is a major component of California's renewable energy-planning efforts... http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,819f,9mft,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: BLM Releases Environmental Study and Announces Public Meeting for Blythe Mesa Solar Project in Eastern Riverside County (BLM News Release) BLM released a joint environmental analysis with Riverside County for the proposed Blythe Mesa Solar Project in eastern Riverside County, Calif. for a 45-day public review. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,euka,93xa,1bct,ijo3 Records Show Inspection Lapse in Oil and Gas Wells (Sacramento Bee, 06/14/14) Federal officials in charge of overseeing the drilling of new oil wells on public land in California let three years pass without inspecting some high-priority sites, according to public records. ..."The BLM takes its responsibilities seriously and is continuing to improve our internal recording processes and our ability to inspect all high priority drilling operations to ensure they are done safely and responsibly," said spokeswoman Dana Wilson. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,7r45,ct51,1bct,ijo3 2 Officers Hurt in Shootout Near Calif. Campground (Washington Post, 06/14/14) A BLM ranger, a California Highway Patrol officer and a suspect were injured Saturday in a shootout near a Northern California campground, authorities said. The officer was responding to the ranger's call for assistance in rugged Tahoe National Forest when they encountered a gunman, CHP Officer Greg Tassone said. A shootout ensued, and the ranger and the suspect were both struck by gunfire... http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,ivsa,3vj8,1bct,ijo3 BLM Shooting Suspect Is Anti-Government Conspiracy Theorist With Pending Gun Charge (Talking Points Memo, 06/17/14) The man accused of shooting two law enforcement members in California, including a BLM ranger, has had at least one previous run-in with law enforcement and has described himself as the target of a massive government conspiracy. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,35eg,8fc2,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION of the WEEK Sea Otters are usually only found in the water. When might they come ashore? (a.) to breed (b.) to birth their young (c.) to escape swimming predators (d.) to sun themselves on the beach (e.) to wait out bad weather (f.) when they get their monthly pay See answer - and more information near the end of this News.bytes. BLM and DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR Highlights VIDEO- This Week at Interior: June 13, 2014 (DOI YouTube) Boosting Tourism in Western States, President Obama Visits Indian Country and More. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,ga5y,dtsd,1bct,ijo3 Grazing on Federal Land Under Threat Because of Drought (L.A. Times, 06/15/14) The situation was spelled out in stark terms in two recent letters from the BLM. They told the ranchers what they already knew: Unless something changes, the days of business as usual on the 154 million acres of federal grazing land are over... http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,ajrb,faxj,1bct,ijo3 Kick Nature-Deficit Disorder to the Curb: Celebrating Great Outdoors Month (The Huffington Post, 06/11/14) ...there is a growing body of evidence that America is becoming increasingly sedentary and spending a lot of time indoors. June is Great Outdoors Month, and there is no better time to kick Nature-Deficit Disorder to the curb. So, let me share ten ways to get outside and celebrate the outdoors this month... http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,81cs,afoo,1bct,ijo3 Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell Announces $436.9 Million in PILT Payments to Support Vital Services in Rural Communities - Mariposa County Receives Over $1.1 Million (Sierra Sun Times, 06/19/14) Underscores importance of President's call to extend mandatory, full funding for PILT program that supports firefighters and police, construction of schools and roads and other critical investments. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,hgd,26oi,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: Secretary Jewell Announces $436.9 Million in PILT Payments to Support Vital Services in Rural Communities (DOI News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,8qn3,liw1,1bct,ijo3 SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS Jun 25-26: Experimental Stewardship Steering Committee Meets in Cedarville (BLM News Release) The Modoc-Washoe Experimental Stewardship Steering Committee will discuss various natural resource management topics when it holds a field tour and meeting, Wednesday and Thursday, June 25 and 26, in Cedarville, Calif. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,dp8i,7o6j,1bct,ijo3 BLM Extends Nomination Deadline for Northern Calif. Advisory Council (BLM News Release) The BLM has extended the nomination deadline for membership on the Northern California Advisory Council, a citizen group that advises the agency on management of public lands. There are 15 vacancies for terms of one, two and three years. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,6tw4,3stq,1bct,ijo3 Jul 1: BLM Announces Desert Advisory Council Subcommittee Meeting (BLM News Release) The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan subcommittee to the Desert Advisory Council has scheduled a public meeting for July 1, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the BLM California Desert District Office. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,6jhq,6b0i,1bct,ijo3 Jul 3: Comments Due for U.S. Army Considering Additional Munitions Removals at BLM's Fort Ord National Monument (BLM News Release) The U.S. Army is accepting comments until July 3 on a Draft Final Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study that calls for additional cleanup actions on BLM-managed lands within the Fort Ord National Monument. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,o6b,gy7b,1bct,ijo3 Jul 8: BLM Announces Connecting People to the Desert Subgroup Meeting (BLM News Release) The Connecting People to the Desert Subgroup to the Desert Advisory Council has scheduled a public meeting for July 8, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the BLM Barstow Field Office. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,lhlk,5svv,1bct,ijo3 Apr-Oct. 23: Webcasts Scheduled to Solicit Comments on Route 66 Management Plan (BLM News Release) The California Historic Route 66 Association and BLM California Desert District have scheduled four webcasts to continue soliciting public comments on the preparation of a corridor management plan for the segment of historic Route 66. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,ge64,i1gg,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE TRIVIA ANSWER and Related Information Sea Otters are usually only found in the water. When might they come ashore? ANSWER (e.) to wait out bad weather SOURCE: "Sea Otter - Enhydra lutris" (BLM California wildlife database) "Sea otters spend the majority of their time in the water. In fact, they usually only come onto shore to wait out a storm." http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1xvwm,3xn3,96ro,lce3,1bct,ijo3 -------------------- - If your e-mail program does not allow you to click on the above links to visit that Web page, copy and paste the URL into your browser's "Location" or "Address" bar. - Some online news sites require free registration to view their content online. Some news sites remove news stories from the Web soon after publication. If you plan to keep a story, you should print a copy or save the Web page to your computer. DISCLAIMER: By linking to Web sites, the BLM does not imply endorsement of those sites, or of products or advertisements on those sites. News.bytes published by Bureau of Land Management California State Office 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-1834 Sacramento, Ca 95825 (916) 978-4600
